kp wrote:We're all stuck between a rock and a hard place, Robert. The first reality is that nowhere (at least that I've heard of) is there a "perfect" congregation, or pastor, or group of believers who all use the "right" vocabulary, understand absolutely everything about the scriptures, and are in perfect harmony with Yahweh's Spirit. Such a place doesn't exist on this planet, and if it did, we'd screw it up by inserting our own imperfect presence into such an august gathering if we started attending. But the converse reality is that Yahweh wants us to congregate anyway, assembling together to honor Him, pulling together in good works, exhorting, encouraging, and praying for one another---and doing so ever more faithfully as we perceive that the Day of Yahshua's return is drawing near. The forum is one way of doing that, but if we just sit here at our computer terminals and refuse to interact with people in our local neighborhoods because they don't already "get it," we not only cheat ourselves, we're cheating them.
Does Yahweh know the ekklesia is flawed---populated by people who are shallow, stubborn, tradition bound, sinful, and stupid? Of course He does. Just go back and read the letters to the seven assemblies in Revelation 2 and 3. Does he tell them to stop meeting together? No. He tells them (in order) to repent, be courageous, repent (again), hold fast to whatever truth you possess, hold fast and repent (again), hold fast (again), and finally, repent (again). So here's my provocative question: how are they supposed to know what to hold fast to and what to repent from if everybody who's studied, prayed, and made themselves open to the leading of Yahweh's Spirit has left and refuses to come back? We're supposed to be salt and light, not absent without leave. Doctors don't refuse to go to the hospital just because there are sick people there.
Don't misunderstand me, please. I'm not advocating showing up, swallowing hard, and accepting errant doctrine and mindless tradition in the misguided quest for "Christian unity." I'm advocating something much harder: show up (even on the wrong day, if you have to) and be the voice and testimony of Yahweh's truth---shed light on the situation; impart information; pray for your less well-educated brothers and sisters; show them (gently) where they've got things backward. Ask pointed questions. Love people. Meet needs. Prepare yourself with reasoned answers for your "strange" behavior. Some congregations, if approached this way, will eventually tire of having coals of fire poured onto their heads (in love), and ask you to leave, as Robski's did. If that happens, shake the dust off your feet and move on. On the other hand, some congregations (like mine) will take the Berean approach, and thoughtfully consider your Spiritual excentricities. After ten years, my pastor (who's twenty-five years younger than I am) has learned to trust my odd take on things, because every time I've challenged him on something (always in love) he's been unable to prove me wrong---even when I freak him out with stuff he's never heard before, anywhere. You may live in a locale where there's nothing to work with, but I doubt it. I live in central Virginia---sparsely populated, rural, and tradition bound---and I got blessed. Okay, my friends there will never get the vocabulary right. I've come to terms with that. But (and this is perhaps a good indicator of how lost a congregation is) they don't condemn me for trying to get it right, either. It's a start. Give me another fifteen years, and I'll have 'em calling "Jesus" Yahshua. Maybe :-)
kp
So a Muslim who finds the truth should continue going to his place? After all Islam teaches some pretty Kosher things sometimes, they are not all wrong.
Or what about a Buddhist? Can they just reject the bad doctrine and keep the rest?
Should the Baal worshipers have continued to go to their places of worship, and just rejected the bad parts?
What about the mormons? Should they keep going and hanging out with the other Joseph Smith people?
What about a Satanist? Should they continue to head to the Satanic church every meeting? They could all make these same arguments you have KP.
Christianity is a false religion. Just like all the rest. Sure they can give you the correct time twice a day with their broken watch like any other religion.
So KP would you apply your same reasoning to the Muslim, or to the Satanist, or the Mithra worshiper, or the Mormons? If they told you the exact same thing you just said, what would be your response?
And don't get me wrong, I am not saying this to be mean, I just do not understand your reasoning.